DaddyDeuce

How about this: http://i.imgur.com/vUVQu.jpg

Just wanted to say "good job". By coincidence I was trying to come up with something similar last week, but the parts you've identified are a much better path.

What about the 1x1 round tile?

The little passenger cars are mechanized; they have wings that flap up-and-down when they are rolled. I think they needed a high-friction wheel (technic pulley with o-rings) in order to drive the mechanism. Regular train wheels wouldn't have done that I bet.

Is there any compatibility between RC and Power Functions? For example, can the Power Functions remote talk to the IR receiver in the RC train base plate (#2016)? Conversely, can the RC remote talk to the Power Functions IR tower? All I've been able to come up with from looking at pictures is that the RC base 2016 should be able to send power to PF motors with an appropriate adapter cable, but I'm wondering if there is more compatibility than just that.

Thanks all so far. I had no idea that the smaller Hogwarts set was an add-on to the larger Castle. I was completely overlooking it as a possible purchase as I assumed I would buy the castle as soon as I could find it on discount. In looking over the sets and minifigs, I realize that *every* set has at least one exclusive minifigure. Clever of LEGO there. But if it boils down to just needing a few single minifigs there is always the secondary market. Right now I'm thinking at least the train and the castle are "essential", and I'm trying to pick and choose my way through the others. What about 4736 Freeing Dobby or 4865 Forbidden Forest? Neither set looks like it has a ton of play value, and I could always get a Narcissa and Dobby on the secondary market if needed (and assuming I get Voldemort and Hagrid somewhere else).

Thanks all for the suggestions so far. I should add that *I* haven't watched HP series myself so I personally don't know which characters are key. I won't "reveal" the sets to them until they have seen the appropriate movies for context, so if I got The Burrow they won't see it until they understand it. I'll mull over what you've shared so far, and try to map out which minifigs come which which sets. Thanks!

Hi all, My kids are into LEGO now but haven't started watching the HP movies yet (oldest child is only 5). I have a feeling that when they do watch the series they will enjoy it very much. Seeing as how it looks like the entire licensed theme is being discontinued, I'd like to set aside some HP sets under the assumption that they will have a blast with them when they are older. What would you say are the "essential" HP sets that have great play value? Not necessarily just the big sets, but the small ones that are fun builds and can lead to interactive play? What would you set aside if you were in the same position? Thanks!

Hey Mojo, I love that graph. A couple of questions? 1: Have you considered having the lines on the axis line up with January of each year (instead of July). It would help me visualize things by year. 2: What are you using to create the graphs? I'd love to create something similar in Excel but can't find a graph type that matches what you've done. Thanks!

I know, but I think the Maersk container ship was only sold in the United States for six months. Just wondered if this being "Maersk" might mean it would have a shorter-than-normal life?

Simply amazing. Looking at where you started, and where you are now, just makes me say "wow".

This set is just beautiful. Bravo! I'd love a set of "Tombstone" inspired minifigs to go along with it.

Does anybody have an educated guess on the discontinuation status of the Maersk train? I'd like to buy a few copies but the timing isn't perfect for me now; but I'd hate to have it go OOP and not have one at all.

Well, there was the twist that the box photos (on at least one) showed them being "mixed and matched" together.

I'd called them that too, but wondered if there was an "official" name. Some say that 7848 is also part of this series: